Method of controlling an automatic vending machine



Aug. 19, w NEHAUS ETAL METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 19, 1969 w. NIEHAUS ETAL 3,461,922

METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 3:: gal

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METHOD OF- CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 15 UUDUUDUDUDD DUUU Ln 1] [MODULE v W. NIEHAUS ET AL Aug. 19,1969 3,461,922 METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

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METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE 1966 S SheetS-Sheet 5 UjJ GJUUDU [DUE] D 111mg] Emu 9 United States Patent 3,461,922 METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Wolfgang Niehaus, Hamburg-Neugraben, and Alexander Kiickens, Hamburg, Germany, assignors to Dagma Deutsche Automaten und Getrankemaschinen G.m.b.H. & Co., Hamburg, Germany Filed Dec. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 601,383 Int. Cl. B67d 5/14 U.S. Cl. 141-1 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic vending machine for flowable products, such as beverages and ice cream, utilizing computing, programming, controlling, logic and cup sensing elements to insure a proper sequence of operation when a cup is provided by the machine and filled with the beverage. Additionally, the apparatus permits use of cups other than those provided by the apparatus, and also dispenses cups, per se, without beverage. The interconnection of the components of the control prevent operation of the machine if a cup is not in position to receive the beverage, or if beverage is not available.

The selling procedure with automatic-vending machines for beverages of known construction put into service by inserting coins is usually accomplished in the following way. After having inserted the coins required for the desired beverage the customer may actuate the output mechanism. At first a cup is delivered and then after a time delay period the beverage flows into the cup. This procedure requires a considerable waste of time. If the known vending machines fail to dispense a cup they nevertheless deliver the beverage although no cup is in the delivery box. In this case the customer loses his money and the beverage fouls the delivery box and loads the capacity of the waste bin.

Another disadvantage of the known devices is the fact that they are arranged only for automatic delivery of cups (of plastics or paper). If a customer Wishes to drink the beverage out of his own cup rather than out of the plastic or paper cup, he has to wait for automatic delivery of a cup filled with beverage whereupon he has to pour it into his own cup. In this case the plastic or paper cup gets lost.

Moreover in the known beverage vending machines cup delivery and beverage delivery are combined in a way that an empty cup cannot be delivered, for instance, for another beverage not available at the machine.

If one wishes to get such a versatility of service with known vending machines these devices have to be converted manually to the different delivery procedures. This would prolong the selling procedure and complicate the operation of the apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new automatic vending machine for beverages or other fiowable products, for instance, ice cream, which eliminates the drawbacks of the known machines without impairment of its economy.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new automatic vending machine for beverages remarkable by its great versatility of service.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new versatile automatic-vending machine for beverages which selectively may deliver cup and beverages, cup alone, or beverage alone.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new versatile automatic vending machine for beverages in which the duration of the selling procedure is shortened ice,

by overlapping of several operations, particularly by preparing the apparatus for the next selling procedure by inserting of coins While the preceding selling procedure still is running.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new automatic vending machine for beverages in which the controlling actions are combined together in a way that a versatile program is possible with few electronic units and no space is needed for intricate and trouble-incident relays.

Inserting one or several coins puts into service a part of the delivery mechanism, for instance, the cup delivery device. If several coins must be inserted to add up to a predetermined amount and the customer has not already put his own cup into the beverage delivery box, the first coin releases the cup delivery mechanism. The customer can take the delivered cup from the delivery box for this first coin while the credit is reset to zero and the apparatus is ready to be actuated by the next customer.

If the customer does not remove the delivered cup out of the delivery box and pays the predetermined amount of coins and depresses the selector key, at once the selected beverage or product flows into the drinking cup (plastic or paper cup from the cup delivery device or cup put in by the customer).

If the customer has put no cup into the beverage delivery box and no cup has been delivered due to failure of the cup delivery device, or its controlling device, then delivery of beverage is put out of service and the credit of the customer is maintained.

The beverage containers are provided with an electronic level sensing means. Beverage delivery requires the control of four points:

(1) Sensing the charge of the beverages to be selected.

(2) Controlling and storing of the prescribed sellingprice via a computer.

(3) Controlling of presence of a cup in the beverage delivery box.

(4) Controlling the removal of the cup delivered or put in.

The first three conditions being fulfilled the beverage after being selected by the customer can be delivered into the cup standing in the box.

The invention will be discussed more in detail by the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows the control circuit in diagrammatic form of an automatic-vending machine according to the invention in operating condition.

FIG. 2 shows the sequence of the controlling actions after insertion of the first coin with no cup put into the delivery box.

FIG. 3 shows the control circuit with the beverage delivered into a cup supplied by the machine.

FIG. 4 shows the control circuit with the beverage delivered into a cup put inby the customer.

FIG. 5 shows the control circuit when selling a cup without beverage.

With this machine and its operational method it is possible to insert new coins already during beverage selling procedure because all operational steps are logically combined and occur one after the other.

The initial stage of the operation is restored, for instance by depression of selector keys so that the time for mechanical cup delivery, opening of valves and flowing out of the beverage into the cup already may be used for coin insertion for the next selling procedure. After having removed the filled cup a new cup is delivered subsequently and the operation sequence described is performed in the same way. Thus after having depressed a selector key it is possible to deliver the beverage in less than about three seconds and to insert new coins during these three seconds.

FIG. 1 shows the control circuit of the apparatus with connectedpowe-r and water supply. The photoelectric light barrier 6 senses the level of the beverage containers 4 and signals via circuit a to the controlling device 13 that beverage delivery is possible. Hereby controlling device 13 is switched in and signals via circuit b to the program device 12 that controlling device delivery is possible. At the same time computer 11 signals via circuit 6 its operation condition and that no coin value is stored. Now program device 12 switches in the coin slot mechanism 1 via circuit d. Now the machine is ready for use.

After insertion of a coin 15, FIG. 2 irrespective of the fact whether selling requires one or more'coins, which are collected in coin box 2, the coin slot mechanism 1 sends an impulse about the coin value via circuit 1 to the computer 11 (or stepper, FIG. 2). The computer 11 stores this impulse and switches on the light emitter 9 of the photoelectric light barrier via circuit m. The light barrier controls the presence of a drinking cup in the beverage delivery box 8. The computer 11 sends a signal via circuit n to the logic element 14 which is an et-element (conjunction). If the light of light emitter 9 falls upon the light receiver 10 circuit 11 is alive. This causes the actuation of a release lock provided in the program device 12 for arresting all keys of selector key means 5. Simultaneously the second signal arrives via n at the imput ofthe logic et-element, and causes the ctelement 14 to send an output signal via circuit to the controlling device 13. Controlling device 13 records this signal and at the same time retransmits a signal via circuit e to the program device 12. Now the program device 12 switches on the cup delivery device 3 via circuit in order to deliver a cup into the beverage delivery box 8. FIG. 3 shows the delivered cup 16 in the beverage delivery box 8. Cup 16 interrupts the light path between light emitter 9 and light receiver 10. Now circuit 11 is dead. Insertion of further coins 15 into the coin slot mechanism 1 produces corresponding inpulses running via circuit 1 to the computer 11. After the predetermined amount of coins being complete the computer 11 signals attainment of operating condition via circuit p to the program device 12 said operating condition corresponding to the amount of coins inserted. The program device 12 now once more detects the presence of all beverages salable for the coins inserted. This sensing operation takes place by the photoelectric light barrier 6 via circuit f. As at the same time circuit n is dead the general lock of selector key means is released. Now based on the level signals coming from the storing containers via circuit 9 and based on the amount of coins inserted the program device 12 decides, which keys of the selector key device 5 have to be released. Key release takes place via circuit g. If now a released key is actuated by the customer, the selector key device 5 sends a corresponding signal via circuit h to program device 12. The program device 12 now switcheson the corresponding beverage delivery valve or valves 7, respectively, for the predetermined delivery time via circuit j. Simultaneously program device 12 resets via circuits k the computer 11 to zero thereby cancelling the stored credit and erasing the signals m, n and p. The light emitter 9 is extinguished and the logic element 14 is locked. Now the coin slot mechanism 1 and computer 11 is ready for starting a new cycle although the selling process is still running and the beverage is still flowing into the cup. If now a further coin is inserted the coin slot mechanism sends a new impulse via circuit 1 to the computer 11 which in turn sends new signals In and n to light emitter 9 and logic element 14, respectively. After having removed the filled cup 16 from the box 8 the light receiver is exposed once more to light of emitter 9. Then a new chain of signals n'-0ef runs to the cup delivery device 3 asis described hereabove in connection with FIG. 2 so that after having removed the filled cup at once a new cup is delivered into the box 8. This cycle may be repeated as oft en as desired unt il the beverages or other products are sold ofl as that the s tat edescribed in connection with FIG. 1 cannot be obtainedl After having sold all beverages circuit a and consequently circuit b remain dead and the coin slot mechanism 1 cannot be actuated.

If the customer at first puts an own cup 17 into the beverage delivery box 8 insertion ofthe first coin (FIG. 4) produces an impulsein circuit 1.- Thus there is the same state-as described in connection with FIG. 3 With'the delivered cup, however, with theexception that circuits n and 0 remain dead from the firstIThe controlling device 13, which begins to count afie'w with every credit input, has not yet counted an incidence of light receiver 10 of cup control light barrier. If this cup 17 would be taken out of the delivery box 8 the state described in connection with FIG. '2 would .exist and the cup delivery device 3 would deliver a new cup into the beverage delivery box 8. However, if one leaves the 'cup 17 in the beverage delivery box 8 the cycle after having inserted the complete amount of coins and chosen the beverage proceeds in the way described in connection with FIG. 3. If the cup delivered by the vending machine but not yet filled would be takenout of the box 8 no second cup will be delivered. In this case the apparatus operates according the control sequence of FIG. 5.

If'only a cup is to be sold, without a beverage, the delivery of cup 16 takes place in the way described above in connection with FIG. 2. The first light incidence in light receiver 10 is recorded in the controlling device 13. After removal of cup 16 receiver 10 gets light again anda second signal n" runs to the program device 12 as well as to the logic element 14. The logic element 14 sendsasecond input signal 0 to the controlling device 13 which records it for the same computing operation of computer 11. Now controlling device 13 sends an erasure signal-via circuit q to the computer 11. The computer 11 cancels .the credit thereby restoring the initial state described above in connection with FIG. 1. This cup selling procedure can be repeated as often as desired.

According to FIGS. 1 to 5 a photoelectric controlling device 9, 10 acting as light barrier is arranged in the beverage delivery box 8. Control action is released by interrupting the light path. However, controlling also may be performed with a photoelectric reflection controller for the cup instead of the light barrier. Then, however, the light signals of light receiver 10 are in phase opposition, i.e. light emitter gets light with a cup being present and light emitter remains dark with a cup being absent. The logic element 14 and the key board lock in the program device 12 are provided with inputs having reverse polarity. The operational steps are not influenced by this modification.

What we claim is:

1. A method of controlling an automatic vending machine for dispensing flowable products into a cup consisting of a coin slot and checker mechanism, selector key means for selecting the desired beverage, cup storage and delivery means, storage means for beverages comprising at least one container with photoelectric level sensing means and a delivery valve, a beverage delivery box provided with a photoelectric cup control, a computer, a program storing device, a controlling device, and a logic element connected in series with said controlling device, comprising the stepsof sensing the level of the beverage storage means and transmitting a signal to the coin slot and checker mechanism to bring the machine into operational condition .upon adequate beverage being available, inserting at least one coin into the coin slot mechanism which sends a signal to the computer thereby storing a credit in the-computer, energizing the photoelectric cup cont-r01 by'the'computer to sense the presence or absence of a cup in the beverage delivery box, signaling the absence of a cup to the cup delivery means to energize the cup delivery means and deliver a cup into the cup delivery box, signaling'cup presence fromthe' 'photoelectric cup control to the program storing device, inserting the rest of the coins required for the desired beverage into the coin slot mechanism, sensing the presence of the required coins and signaling the computer to store the complete credit and sending a signal from the computer to the program storing device, sensing the level of all beverages corresponding to the stored credit, upon receiving positive level signals releasing the selector key means corresponding to the positive level signals, actuating the desired released selector key means thereby sending a first signal to the delivery valve to open the valve, and transmitting a second signal to the computer thereby resetting the credit to zero.

2. A method of controlling an automatic vending machine for dispensing flowable products into a cup consisting of a coin slot and checker mechanism, selector key means for selecting the desired beverage, cup storage and delivery means, storage means for beverages comprising at least one container with photoelectric level sensing means and a delivery valve, a beverage delivery box provided with a photoelectric cup control, a computer, a program storing device, a controlling device, and 'a logic element connected in series with said controlling device, comprising the steps of sensing the level of the beverage storage means and transmitting a signal to the coin slot and checker mehcanism to bring the machine into operational condition upon adequate beverage being available, manually placing a cup into the beverage delivery box, inserting at least one coin into the coin slot mechanism, which sends a signal to the computer thereby storing the credit in the computer, energizing the photoelectric cup control by the computer, said cup control signaling cup presence to the program storing device, inserting the rest of the coins required for the desired beverage into the coin slot mechanism, sensing the presence of the required coins and signaling the computer to store the complete credit and sending a signal from the computer to the program storing device, sensing the level of all beverages corresponding ot the stored credit, upon receiving positive level signals releasing the selector key means corresponding to the positive level signals, actuating the desired released selector key means thereby sending a first signal to the delivery valve to open the valve, and transmitting a second signal to the computer thereby resetting the credit to zero.

3. A method of controlling an automatic vending machine for dispensing fiowable products into a cup consisting of a coin slot and checker mechanism, selector key means for selecting the desired beverage, cup storage and delivery means, storage means for beverages comprising at least one container with photoelectric level sensing means and a delivery valve, a beverage delivery box provided with a photoelectric cup control, ,a computer, a program storing device, a controlling device, and a logic element connected in series with said controlling device,

comprising the steps of sensing the level of the beverage storage means and transmitting a signal to the coin slot and checker mechanism to bring the machine into operational condition upon adequate beverage being available, inserting one coin into the coin slot mechanism which sends a signal to the computer thereby storing a credit in the computer, energizing the photoelectric cup control by the computer to sense the absence of a cup in the beverage delivery box, producing a first signal signaling the absence of a cup to the controlling device, recording said first cup absence signal, signaling and energizing the cup delivery device which delivers a cup into the cup delivery box, sensing the presence of the delivered cup in the delivery box and signaling its presence to the controlling device, manually removing the empty cup from the delivery box, sensing cup absence in said box producing a second signal signaling cup absence to the controlling device, said first and second cup absence signals producing an erasure signal, transmitting the erasu-re signal to the computer and erasing the stored credit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,552,856 5/ 1951 Knapp. 2,995,158 8/1961 Oberg l41-l74 X 3,236,270 2/1966 Stutz 14ll74 X LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner EDWARD J. EARLS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

